Door latch assembly with integrally molded, flexible interior door seal

Abstract

An automotive latch assembly ( 46 ) includes an integrally molded seal ( 54 ) surrounding three sides of a striker entry hole ( 52 ), formed from the same relatively inflexible material as the latch assembly housing ( 48 ). The seal ( 54 ) comprises a general C shape, including a first wall ( 56 ) and two second walls ( 58 ), each of which slopes outwardly from said housing ( 48 ) and each of which is joined to an adjacent wall ( 56,58 ) at an obtuse angle. Each juncture of adjacent walls ( 56,58 ) comprises a flex joint ( 60 ) that includes a concave fold that flattens out as said adjacent walls ( 56,58 ) tend to diverge from one another as they are bent downwardly. This allows the seal ( 54 ) as a whole to effectively flex.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An automotive latch assembly ( 46 ) having a striker entry hole ( 52 ) formed through a housing ( 48 ) of relatively rigid plastic material, characterized in that a flexible seal ( 54 ) surrounding said striker entry hole ( 52 ) is integrally molded to and with said housing ( 48 ), said seal comprising a general C shape, including a first wall ( 56 ) and two second walls ( 58 ), each of which slopes outwardly from said housing ( 48 ) and each of which is joined to an adjacent wall ( 56 , 58 ) at a less than straight angle, and further characterized in that each juncture of adjacent walls ( 56 , 58 ) comprises a flex joint ( 60 ) that includes a concave fold that flattens out as said adjacent walls ( 56 , 58 ) tend to diverge from one another as they are bent downwardly, thereby allowing the seal ( 54 ) as a whole to effectively flex. 
     
     
       2. An automotive latch assembly ( 46 ) according to  claim 1 , further characterized in that said seal walls ( 56 , 58 ) form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
       3. An automotive latch assembly ( 46 ) according to  claim 1 , further characterized in that said flex joint ( 60 ) forms a generally conical depression.